How to Design a Functional and Stylish Home

Functional art is a remarkable form of art that combines beauty with functionality. Usually, this type of art is collectible and has practical use.

However, not all functional art is equally beautiful or easy to understand. A highly-optimized, fast piece of code that’s kludgy and awkward might be a marvel of engineering but is unlikely to be described as elegant.

Dining Room

The dining room is the space where we gather to share a meal with family & friends. Whether it’s for everyday meals or special occasions, creating a dining room that is functional and stylish can be easy with the right design ideas.

The chairs you choose can define your space – formal dining rooms feature elegantly upholstered pieces with refined details and names like Chippendale or Queen Anne while functional dining spaces typically use simple, easy-to-clean styles. The table itself can also set the tone – modern dining tables often feature clean lines, while traditional designs offer more complex wood detailing.

Adding an area rug is a great way to instantly add style to your dining room – choose a darker color than your table and chairs for real oppulance but be sure that it’s wipeable and man-made as it will likely get covered in spillages. Also consider a feature wall with a curated gallery of framed prints to add more personality, color and texture to your dining room decor.

Using wallpaper is another way to add pattern and interest to your dining room, try a geometric design or something with a more abstract or floral motif depending on your preference. Lighting is also key for a dining room, think about including different forms of light to create ambiance & give the space more layers.

Bedroom

Whether it’s for sleeping, relaxing or working from home, the bedroom should be a peaceful retreat. Using the right furniture and decoration is key to creating this functional and stylish space. Some people prefer bright colors and patterns, while others find more subdued looks to be more aesthetically pleasing. The best decor is one that combines both elements for a look that’s truly beautiful and unique.

Modern design is known for its sleek, straight lines, which are ideal for bedrooms. Incorporate these lines in your design by adding accent pieces like a diptych over the bed, square wood accent tables and a neutral linen Roman shade.

A modern, yet cosy bedroom is the perfect place to start your day and unwind after a long day at work. Use natural materials in your design, such as warm timber tones and plush textures like this faux fur rug, to create a room that feels inviting and relaxed.

Layers of soft, cozy bedding are a must for this style of bedroom. Adding an extra-long velvet lumbar pillow in yellow adds warmth and visual interest while keeping the bed simple enough for sleep-ins.

Effective storage solutions are crucial to any bedroom. Use every nook and cranny in your bedroom to maximize storage space by incorporating fitted joinery, display shelves and more. If you have adequate ceiling height, consider a mezzanine option that incorporates a bed on a raised platform with storage below.

Bathroom

The bathroom might be the most utilitarian room in the home, but that doesn’t mean it has to feel bland and clinical. A few well-chosen design ideas can create a space that’s both functional and stylish, with the right layout, storage solutions, and smart accessories.

If you’re opting for dark paint or tile in your bathroom, consider introducing plenty of reflective surfaces to bounce light around the space. This will help to prevent it from feeling too flat or boxed in, and ensure that it feels bright and airy throughout the day.

Whether it’s a mirror or floor tiles, adding bold patterns can help your bathroom to feel unique and interesting. A black-and-white tile pattern, like those used in this bathroom by designer Rydhima Brar, adds visual interest to the space while still ensuring it looks clean and fresh.

A good way to bring a bit of nature into the bathroom is with a living wall. This isn’t just a great way to improve air quality, but it also helps to create a sense of calm and relaxation in the space.

If your bathroom doesn’t have a lot of wall space to spare, try elevating your radiator instead. Not only does this free up floor space, it can also look really pretty. Here, Avalanche Marble (from PS924 per m2, Cullifords) covers the top half of this bathroom’s walls and butts up against a textured concrete lower – with gold hardware and smart accessories to match.

Kitchen

The kitchen is the heart of your home where you prepare food, gather with family and friends and entertain guests. It’s important to design this space with both functionality and style in mind. You can achieve this by using high-quality materials, adding stylish décor and installing appealing appliances.

Streamlined storage is a must-have in any kitchen, as is ample counter and workspace. Consider incorporating wall-mounted baskets or floating shelves to hold everyday items and show off decorative tilework or bricks. Alternatively, you could place mugs and glasses in built-in racks or crockery in deep drawers to keep them organized.

A functional floor plan is another essential aspect of kitchen design, as it enables an optimized cooking experience. Make sure that the kitchen flows into other areas of the house such as the living room and dining room, if applicable, without any major traffic patterns or obstacles.

Modern kitchens tend to be minimalistic in nature, with a focus on straight lines and practicality. However, some designs also include a splash of color to create contrast and draw the eye toward certain features. Other popular kitchen design styles include farmhouse and mid-century, both of which embrace a simpler aesthetic with warmer decorative touches. Regardless of the chosen aesthetic, it’s important to choose kitchen appliances that are energy-efficient and match the overall design of your space.